Defense system against pirates

ABSTRACT

A defense system against pirates which causes pirates and other unauthorized intruders to retreat from the deck of the ship and prevent them from climbing on the board of the ship by spraying hot water from nozzles installed on or above the main deck and along the edges of the hull pointed down towards the sea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of defense systems for ocean vessels. More particularly, it relates to a system that discharges hot water in order to deter pirates and other intruders from boarding the ship and thwarting a hijacking attempt.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of security devices for deterring pirates and other intruders are known. None, however, provide an effective adequate solution in a manner and with the effectiveness taught by this invention.

An Anti-Piracy System which activates high-pressure water-spraying system in a perimeter of the ship that appears relevant was described in a fallowing press release;

IMSN Captain Ralph Pundt, Press Release Aug. 26, 2009, Hickory, Pa. (MMD Newswire) http://www.mmdnewswire.comianti-piracv-system-5628.html

With this defense system any intruders or pirates are not yet fully subdued or deterred but only slowed down or frightened with uncertain results.

This will have no effect on intruders that are already on the deck of the ship.

While this method is a discouragement to unauthorized ship boarding, it requires having an additional security element in form of armed security team.

Using security team with firearms is very controversial and not allowed on many ships. Firearms are prohibited on ships with flammable cargo like Oil Tankers, ships with liquid gas, chemicals and others.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, (in light of problems that have existed and that are increasing in intensity and violence with piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Coast and other parts of the world) objectives of this invention is to provide a defense system which:

As a non-lethal defense system, effectiveness of using hot water provides a desirable solution to the piracy problem and eliminates controversy of using a Security Team with firearms.

It uses the most available resources such as ocean water which is heated up to the temperature high enough to inflict pain on intruders forcing them to retreat.

Provides a safe defense solution for the ship and ship's crew members.

Is activated manually or remotely by the ship's Captain or designated crew members from a safe location without facing pirates or other intruders.

Aims hot water directly on intruders trying to climb on board the ship from spray nozzles mounted on the plumbing system that is installed on the edge around the ship.

If the intruders are already on board the ship they get sprayed by hot water pouring from the nozzles mounted on the plumbing system installed on the deck of the ship.

Creates an impenetrable wall of hot water sprayed alongside of the ship and preventing intruders getting on board.

Completely blankets the entire deck of the ship with hot water.

Will not allow pirates or other intruders facing hot water pouring on them from every direction to use their weapons and will force them to retreat immediately.

It has been outlined, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limited.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become obvious to the reader. It is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, with attention being called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and intended advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows drawing of a ship (10) with a Hot Water Producing System (20) and Hot Water Delivery System. (30). Hot Water Producing System (20) includes an Engine Cooling System (21) from which hot water flows through Control System (22) to the Hot Water Delivery System (30). Hot Water Delivery System (30) is comprised of Plumbing System (31) and a Spray Nozzles (32).

FIG. 2:

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a Ship (10) and the Deck of the ship (11). Also on the Deck of the Ship (11) included is Hot Water Delivery System (30) comprised of Plumbing System (31) and Hot Water Spray Nozzles (32).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a ship with hot water producing system and hot water delivery system.

B. Ship

Cruise Liners, Cargo ships, Oil Tankers, Fishing Vessels and others that desire to protect the ship and crew from pirates attack and other undesired intruders.

Cruise Liners, Cargo Ships, Oil Tankers, and other vessels are vulnerable to be attacked by pirates and are in great needs to have effective non-lethal defense system.

C. Hot Water Producing System

Water is taken from the ocean, flows through ship engine cooling system where it heats up and then is discharged back to the ocean. When ship is in danger of been attacked by the pirates the hot water from the cooling system is diverted by the control system to the plumbing system and discharged by spray nozzles around the ship and on the deck off the ship. Water from the ocean flows through ship engine cooling system (21) where it heats up and then is discharged back to the ocean. For the purpose of defending ship from pirate attacks the hot water from the cooling system (21) is diverted by the control system (22) to the plumbing system (31) and discharged (33) on the ship via spray nozzles (32).

If the water from engine cooling system is not hot enough then additional heating systems can be used. A steam generating system could also be used, mixing steam with water to increase water temperature.

D. Hot Water Delivery System

The Hot Water Delivery System is comprised of a plumbing system installed around the edge of the ship and on the deck of the ship. The plumbing system is comprised of pipes and spray nozzles that deliver and spray hot water for the purpose of defending the ship from pirates or other intruders.

Alternatively, an existing fire extinguishing system can be used to deliver hot water to the deck of the ship for a defensive purpose.

E. Connections of Main Elements and Sub-Elements of Invention

The hot water producing system (20) is located on the ship (10) as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. The hot water producing system (20) is connected to the hot water delivery system (30) via commonly utilized plumbing system (31). The spray nozzles (32) are attached to the plumbing system (31) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The spray nozzles are preferably positioned on the plumbing system around the edge of the ship (33) in order to create an impenetrable wall of hot water around the ship and to deliver hot water to every inch of the deck of the ship (11).

F. Alternative Embodiments of Invention

Alternatively, the existing fire extinguishing system could be used to distribute and discharge hot water on the ship in defense effort against pirates.

G. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

When the ship (10) is under a pirate's attack' the control system (22) in the hot water defense system is activated manually or by remote control by the ship Captain or designated crew member. The control system (22) is located in the hot water producing system (20) and when it is activated it allows hot water to flow from engine cooling system (21) to the hot water delivery system (30) which is comprised of the plumbing system (31) and hot water spray nozzles (32) the hot water is discharged (33) in the form of hot shower on the ship (10) and ship deck (11).

Pirates approaching a ship are facing a wall of hot water (33) pouring from the spray nozzles (32) as shown in FIG. 1. In this situation, any attempt to climbed on board the ship (10) is impossible, If the attack is conducted by surprise and the pirates/intruders get on the deck of the ship (11) crew members have to retreat to safety, lock the doors and hatches and activate the hot water defense system in control system. Hot water then flows from the engine cooling system (21) through the control system (22), plumbing system (31), and spray nozzles (32) and is discharged in a form of a hot water shower (33) as shown in FIG. 2. In this situation pirates have no choice but to abandon their attack and leave the ship immediately.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

INDEX OF ELEMENTS

-   10: Ship -   11: Ship Deck -   20: Hot Water Producing System -   21: Engine Cooling System -   22: Control System -   30: Hot Water Delivery System -   31: Plumbing System -   32: Spray Nozzles -   33: Hot Water Discharged 

1. A method for defending ocean vessels from being attacked by pirates and other intruders by spraying hot water on them comprising: a) a hot water producing unit including the ship's engine cooling system where ocean water is heated up through the process of engine cooling, or by using other water heating elements and/or a steam generating device b) a control system which, when activated reverts hot water to the hot water delivery unit that delivers hot water to the deck and sides of the ship. c) a hot water delivery system, including commonly used plumbing systems, installed on the sides and the deck of the ship. d) as a delivery system, the ship's existing fire extinguishing system can be used as a hot water delivery system when possible. e) spray nozzles located on the plumbing system that are installed along the edges of the ship directed downwards and sprays hot water alongside of the ship creating impenetrable wall of hot water spraying on pirates and other undesired intruders with a temperature high enough to inflict pain strong enough to force them to abandon their effort to climb on board of the ship. f) spray nozzles that are placed strategically on the plumbing system that is installed on the deck of the ship so that when hot water is sprayed it covers entire deck of the ship forcing intruders to leave the ship immediately. 